Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Michael David Gates - Online Child Predator

A Coopersburg man arrested in May during an Internet sex sting was charged with possession of child pornography after a search of his computer, the Attorney General's office announced this morning.

Michael David Gates, 40, 4352 Border Drive, was originally arrested May 9 after he allegedly used a chat room to contact an agent with the Child Predator Unit posing as a 14-year-old girl, sent her a "nude video" and asked to have sex.

His computer was seized and investigators found images depicting children under the age of 18 engaging in sexual activity.

He was charged with four counts of sexual abuse of children, all third-degree felonies that are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines. In May, he was charged with unlawful contact with a minor and criminal use of a computer.